Quiz: Howstuffworks

Do You Know Which Phylum These Animals Belong To?

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: Chraecker / Pixabay

About This Quiz

Can you file these animals away into their correct phylum?

The term phylum refers to a biological grouping of organisms that is ranked above "class" and below "kingdom." Phyla lie relatively high up in the sequence of eight taxonomic ranks, which are in order from highest to lowest: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. As a result of this, the array in which organisms are found in each phylum is oftentimes very diverse when it comes to things like their habitats, their physical features, and more. An example of this can be seen if we take into consideration animals like the blue whale, the cheetah, the ostrich, and humans. While this handful of animals may seem random at first glance, they actually all belong to the same phylum.

In this scientifically stimulating quiz, we've taken an assortment of some of the most notable animals from around the world and put them all in one place to see if you can manage to correctly match them to their phylum. Let's jump right in and see if you've got the brains to beat this quiz!

Innersanity / Pixabay

What phylum does this big cat belong to?

Chordata

Porifera

Cnidaria

Mollusca

The Bengal tiger is one of the largest cats and it belongs to the phylum Chordata. Its natural habitat is the Indian subcontinent and it is considered to be endangered, with its population being just in the thousands.

SHAWSHANK61 / Pixabay

Which phylum is this majestic butterfly a part of?

Nemertea

Loricifera

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

The Queen Alexandra's birdwing that is shown here is a species of butterfly that is classified into the phylum Arthropoda. It is notable for being the largest butterfly in the world.

Josch13 / Pixabay

This aquatic animal belongs to which phylum?

Chordata

Loricifera

Cnidaria

Porifera

This is the yellow tube sponge, a species of sponge that is a member of the phylum Porifera. It is notably fond in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Shutterstock

This big bird belongs to which of these phyla?

Cnidaria

Mollusca

Chordata

Echinodermata

The ostrich is a flightless bird that belongs to the phylum Chordata. While it cannot fly, the ostrich is notable for being the largest living bird species.

EllWi / Pixabay

These bloodsuckers are a part of which phylum?

Chordata

Annelida

Cnidaria

Loricifera

The leech that is shown here is a worm-like animal that is classified into the phylum Annelida. They are notable for their medicinal uses throughout history.

dadeltjie / Pixabay

The deadly reptile in this image is a member of which phylum?

Mollusca

Loricifera

Echinodermata

Chordata

This is the saltwater crocodile, a predatory reptile that is a member of the phylum Chordata. It is notable for being the largest living reptile in the world.

skeeze / Pixabay

This spider-eating wasp belongs to which phylum?

Cnidaria

Arthropoda

Echinodermata

Chordata

The tarantula hawk is a large wasp that belongs to the phylum Arthropoda. They are one of the largest wasps in the world and as their name suggests, they are famous for hunting tarantulas.

christels / Pixabay

This biblical bug that is shown here is a member of which phylum?

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

Echinodermata

Bryozoa

The Goliath beetle that is shown here is an insect that is classified into the phylum Arthropoda. They are one of the largest insects and are named after the biblical giant, Goliath.

ronbd / Pixabay

This massive mammal belongs to which phylum?

Echinodermata

Chordata

Cnidaria

Bryozoa

This is the African bush elephant, a mammal that is a member of the phylum Chordata. Not only is it the largest species of elephant but it is also the largest land animal that is alive today.

Free-Photos / Pixabay

This regal jellyfish is a member of which phylum?

Echinodermata

Chordata

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

The lion's mane jellyfish is a species of jellyfish that belongs to the phylum Cnidaria. It is primarily found in cold waters and is notable for being the largest jellyfish.

shutterstock

This gentle giant belongs to which phylum?

Bryozoa

Chordata

Mollusca

Porifera

The blue whale that is shown here is a marine mammal that is classified into the phylum Chordata. It is not only the largest living animal but it is also considered to be the largest animal that has ever existed.

TaniaVdB / Pixabay

This aquatic marvel is a member of which phylum?

Cnidaria

Arthropoda

Annelida

Acanthocephala

This is the staghorn coral, a type of stony coral that is a member of the phylum Cnidaria. It is notable for being one of the most important types of coral in the Great Barrier Reef.

Patrizia08 / Pixabay

The violent scorpion in this image is a member of which phylum?

Mollusca

Chordata

Arthropoda

Echinodermata

The giant forest scorpion is the largest species of scorpion and it belongs to the phylum Arthropoda. However, it is not incredibly venomous, instead primarily killing its prey with its pincers.

zoosnow / Pixabay

This wiggly worm belongs to which of these phyla?

Chordata

Annelida

Arthropoda

Echinodermata

The ragworm that is shown here is a part of a large family of worms that is classified into the phylum Annelida. They are often used as bait or as fish feed.

shutterstock

This hard working animal belongs to which phylum?

Annelida

Porifera

Arthropoda

Mollusca

This is the fire ant, a small insect that is a member of the phylum Arthropoda. As their name suggests, they are most notable for their painful sting.

awebu / Pixabay

This strange swimmer is a member of which of these phyla?

Chordata

Ctenophora

Acanthocephala

Mollusca

The cuttlefish is a marine animal that belongs to the phylum Mollusca. They are a delicacy in East Asia and parts of the Mediterranean.

Kirkby / Pixabay

The marine animal in this image is a member of which phylum?

Ctenophora

Annelida

Arthropoda

Mollusca

The American lobster that is shown here is a species of lobster that is classified into the phylum Arthropoda. It is notable for being the heaviest member of its phylum.

Mhy / Pixabay

This sluggish snail belongs to which of these phyla?

Mollusca

Gastrotricha

Arthropoda

Annelida

This is the giant African snail, a land snail that is a member of the phylum Mollusca. It is one of the largest land snail species in the world.

Eukalyptus / Pixabay

The burrowing worm that is show here belongs to which phylum?

Porifera

Cnidaria

Arthropoda

Annelida

The earthworm is a tube-shaped invertebrate that belongs to the phylum Annelida. They are “blind” in the traditional sense, with no eyes but instead having specialized photosensitive cells.

Shutterstock

The intelligent ink-sprayer in this image is a member of which phylum?

Mollusca

Entoprocta

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

The octopus that is shown here is an eight-limbed animal that is classified into the phylum Mollusca. While their appearance may be deceiving, octopuses are actually extremely intelligent, being one of the smartest animals that are alive today.

Wikimedia Commons By Jmk777

This brainy animal is a member of which of these phyla?

Mollusca

Entoprocta

Chordata

Cnidaria

This is the brain coral, an aquatic animal that is a member of the phylum Cnidaria. It gets its name from the distinct series of ridges on its surface that give it the appearance of an actual brain.

Skovpallemand / Pixabay

The creepy-crawly in this photo is a member of which phylum?

Entoprocta

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

Annelida

The tarantula is a family of large spiders that belongs to the phylum Arthropoda. They are notable for being skilled hunters and they are often kept as exotic pets.

BlueWorldTV / YouTube

The aquatic animal that is showcased here belongs to which phylum?

Arthropoda

Cnidaria

Chordata

Porifera

The stove-pipe sponge that is shown here is a marine animal that is classified into the phylum Porifera. They can primarily be found in areas of the Western Atlantic Ocean.

Pitsch / Pixabay

This slow moving animal is categorized under which phylum?

Porifera

Mollusca

Echinodermata

Arthropoda

This is the garden snail, a species of land snail that is a member of the phylum Mollusca. They are relatively common and often regarded as an agricultural pest.

PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

This lonely jellyfish is a part of what phylum?

Cnidaria

Phoronida

Chordata

Mollusca

The stalked jellyfish is a cold-water loving creature that belongs to the phylum Cnidaria. They are notable for actually being the only members of the class Staurozoa that are alive today.

inquiryml / Pixabay

The humongous snail that is show here is a member of what phylum?

Chordata

Echinodermata

Mollusca

Arthropoda

The Australian trumpet that is shown here is a large sea snail that is classified into the phylum Mollusca. Their large shells are highly sought after by collectors.

kevskoot / Pixabay

This plant-themed animal belongs to which of these phyla?

Arthropoda

Phoronida

Echinodermata

Annelida

This is the sea cucumber, a marine animal that is a member of the phylum Echinodermata. The name comes from their close resemblance to the fruit of the cucumber plant.

timvb1990 / Pixabay

This prickly water-dweller is a member of which phylum?

Cnidaria

Echinodermata

Chordata

Arthropoda

The sea urchin is a spine aquatic animal that belongs to the phylum Echinodermata. They are notable for being found at a wide range of depths throughout the ocean.

KROSSWerbeagentur / Pixabay

The deadly marine animal in this image belongs to which phylum?

Cnidaria

Phoronida

Chordata

Arthropoda

The Portuguese man o' war that is shown here is a marine animal that is classified into the phylum Cnidaria. Each year, they sting more than 10,000 people in Australian waters alone.

BlueWorldTV / YouTube

This cute aquatic animal is categorized under which phylum?

Annelida

Cnidaria

Porifera

Chordata

This is the pink vase sponge, a species of demosponge that is a member of the phylum Porifera. While their name suggests one specific color, they can be found in the wild as gray, blue, and any shade between purple and pink.

Gellinger / Pixabay

The huge hermit crab in this photo is a member of which phylum?

Mollusca

Arthropoda

Echinodermata

Cnidaria

The coconut crab is a species of land dwelling crab that belongs to the phylum Arthropoda. It is notable for actually being the largest land dwelling member of its phylum.

DrZoltan / Pixabay

The speedy sprinter in this image belongs to which phylum?

Annelida

Cnidaria

Porifera

Chordata

The cheetah that is shown here is a slender big cat that is classified into the phylum Chordata. It is notable for holding the title of “fastest land animal."

ortal8001 / Pixabay

This colorful water-dwelling animal is a member of which phylum?

Chordata

Porifera

Cnidaria

Arthropoda

This is the sea anemone, a marine animal that is a member of the phylum Cnidaria. Their name is derived from the anemone, a flowering plant that is also notable for its varied colorful appearance.

Shutterstock

This extremely intelligent animal belongs to which of these phyla?

Arthropoda

Echinodermata

Hemichordata

Chordata

Humans are a species of mammals that belongs to the phylum Chordata. The most intelligent species of animal in the world; the only ones to rely heavily on complex tools and form intricate multifaceted societies.

Humberto Ramirez / Moment / Getty Images

The elegant aquatic animal in this photo is a member of which phylum?

Hemichordata

Echinodermata

Mollusca

Chordata

The sea lily that is shown here is a marine animal that is classified into the phylum Echinodermata. The name “sea lily” is primarily used to refer to the adult form of the organism.

Kaz / Pixabay

The cunning canine that is shown here belongs to which phylum?

Mollusca

Arthropoda

Annelida

Chordata

This is the coyote, a canine that is a member of the phylum Chordata. They are notable for currently only being native to the North American continent.

PuraVida_Fotografie / Pixabay

The iconic aquatic animal in this image is a member of which phylum?

Echinodermata

Annelida

Mollusca

Chordata

The starfish is a marine animal that belongs to the phylum Echinodermata. While there are commonly depicted as having five “limbs” or “arms,” there are several species of starfish that have more.

sarangib / Pixabay

The dangerous jellyfish in this image belongs to which of these phyla?

Arthropoda

Porifera

Cnidaria

Hemichordata

The sea wasp that is shown here is a marine animal that is classified into the phylum Cnidaria. This species of jellyfish is extremely venomous, being responsible for dozens of known deaths over the years.

AliceKeyStudio / Pixabay

The colorful marine animal in this image is categorized under what phylum?

Cnidaria

Cycliophora

Arthropoda

Bryozoa

This is the dragon eye zoanthid, a marine animal that is a member of the phylum Cnidaria. They are popular among aquarium owners and fishkeepers, due to their attractive coloration.

Wildestanimal/Moment/Getty Images

The underwater behemoth that is showcased here is a member of what phylum?

Bryozoa

Cnidaria

Mollusca

Chordata

The colossal squid is a marine animal that belongs to the phylum Mollusca. It is not only the largest species of squid but also the largest known invertebrate.

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